Interaction in information retrieval: Discourse analysis and the identification of an elicitation

This study is under the large project initiated by Professor Tefko Saracevic at Rutgers University with the concern of the interactive nature of information retrieval activities, their users (patrons and intermediaries), use, and the interactive processes. One concern of the current author is the patrons and their Elicitation behavior. For example, what are the purposes of these Elicitations? Does patron Elicitation behavior occur randomly, or are there patterns to be sought? This paper reports the initiative efforts of the study — the process of applying the method of Discourse Analysis to identify an Elicitation. An Elicitation is considered as a request for information in conversation. However, such a "request" can not be recognized by merely its grammatical form. For example, "How are you doing today?" is an interrogative in form, but it is not an Elicitation. This paper addresses the theoretical foundation of human Elicitation behavior; discusses Discourse Analysis as a proper methodology to identify an Elicitation; and finally, provides examples as decision making process of identifying an Elicitation.